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The Devotional Diva - Male Ordered Bride
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The Devotional Diva - Male Ordered Bride
By Barbara Gobbs
Executive Assistant and Ministry Partner - Pocket Full of Change Ministries
“Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge over all he owned, “Please place you hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live, but you shall go to my country and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” Genesis 24:2-4 (NAS95)
Our Bible study class is studying the lives and lessons from our Old Testament ancestors. We are using material based from Beth Moore’s “The Patriarchs.” It is an awesome study of biblical history and biblical principles.
This week we relived the process of how Isaac got a wife. The highest-ranking male servant in the Abraham abode was ordered to find a wife for Isaac. The servant was to travel across the country and bring back Miss Right to Mr. Right. Abraham laid out the requirements and forked out the dowry. This up and coming father-in-law proved to be very generous.
However, it wasn’t Abraham that God used to teach this girl a thing or three. The lesson came from focusing on his servant. I challenge you to read this chapter in Genesis when you get home today. Look at the seriousness of the request Abraham made. Discover the loyalty this servant had for Abraham and God. Delight in the faith he displayed and concentrate on the focus with which he carried out his task. Pay special attention to his prayers.
You will find many lessons to apply to your servant’s walk with your Father. These lessons will enhance your relationship with God and ultimately others as well. Beth Moore discovered three pertinent lessons and one warning from studying Abraham’s right-hand man. The inspired author of the material surmised them like this:
1. The servant took on his master’s burden as if it were his own.
2. The servant prioritized the matter with fervent prayer for success.
3. The servant possessed remarkable enthusiasm for the success of his master’s mission.
As believers, do we concern ourselves over the things that burden God in such a personal way that the burden actually becomes ours?
As believers, we pray but do we pray in a prioritize way – fervently and with success in mind?
As believers, do we display an enthusiasm or passion for the success of Kingdom matters? Do you? Do I?
Those are good questions, if I do say so myself. I’ll go out on a limb and suggest that most of us want to live our life saying “YES” to all the above. I know I do, but do I live out that desire with consistency? Honestly, I’ve had to deal directly with God over my answers this week.
Now lessons often come with warnings. Warnings are meant to get our attention and make us think. They provide reasons for making wise decisions and spell out consequences when we don’t. Often, they provide insight into our natural character to keep us on our spiritual toes. This is was I perceived as fair warning. She states, “Me-centeredness is so powerful and prevalent in our society that if we don’t deliberately fight it, we will undoubtedly live it.”
“If we don’t deliberately fight it, we will undoubtedly live it!” No one said it would be easy. The necessary things in life seldom are easy. But they are necessary! How many times is me-centeredness the reason, I fail to live a true servants life before God?
Well my friends, this is where we part company today. I have shared what I felt compelled to share with you this morning. The lesson I learned this week certainly wasn’t new – but God used the fresh viewpoint of another to get my attention today.
I pray He does the same for you!
Father, please save me from myself!
Barbara
Barbara Gobbs is a ministry partner with and the Executive Assistant of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information, to schedule a speaker for an event, or to request a newsletter, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden, Publicist at 904 316-5462. This ministry is supported by donations. If this ministry helps you or others, and God calls you to help support this work, you can make a donation to Pocket Full of Change Ministry at POB 51205, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240.
© Pocket Full of Change Ministries
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